I was terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative evaluation of your own performance or behavior in a specific situation or context. Example: "After the presentation, I felt that I was terrible at answering the questions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

A. I was terrible.

The New York Times

"I was terrible.

The New York Times

"I was terrible at maths.

Independent

"No excuse, I was terrible," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"In fact, I was terrible.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was terrible, just awful.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Green said, "They cut [his scene] because it was totally unnecessary to the movie-slash-I was terrible".

Wikipedia

I am terrible!

The New York Times

I'm terrible at sleeping.

The New York Times - Tech

I am terrible at languages.

The New York Times

I'm terrible at it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was terrible" to directly express your own negative assessment of your past actions or abilities. It's best used when you want to take responsibility for a poor outcome.

Common error

While "I was terrible" is a common expression, avoid overusing it in formal settings. In professional contexts, consider using phrases that offer more specific details about the areas needing improvement, rather than simply stating you were "terrible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was terrible" functions as a statement of negative self-assessment. It directly expresses the speaker's low opinion of their own actions, skills, or performance, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was terrible" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used for expressing negative self-assessment. Ludwig's examples show its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While its meaning is clear, it's advisable to consider more nuanced alternatives in formal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable for expressing regret or acknowledging failure, but choose it thoughtfully based on your audience and the specific message you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was awful

Uses a direct synonym for "terrible".

I wasn't good

Simplifies the expression of inadequacy.

I did a terrible job

Rephrases to focus on the job or task completed.

My performance was poor

Shifts the focus to the performance itself.

I performed poorly

Replaces "terrible" with a more formal adverbial phrase.

I failed miserably

Emphasizes the extent of the failure.

I completely messed up

Uses a more informal and emphatic expression of failure.

I was a disaster

Uses hyperbole to express extreme failure.

I was substandard

Employs a more formal term to indicate performance below expectations.

I didn't meet expectations

Focuses on the failure to satisfy requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "I was terrible" in a sentence?

You can use "I was terrible" to express a negative self-assessment about a performance or action, as in "I was terrible at math" or "I was terrible today".

What are some alternatives to saying "I was terrible"?

Alternatives include "I was awful", "I performed poorly", or "I didn't do well", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "I was terrible" in a formal setting?

While grammatically correct, "I was terrible" can sound informal. In formal settings, consider using more professional alternatives like "My performance was suboptimal" or "I did not meet expectations".

What's the difference between "I was terrible" and "I had a terrible time"?

"I was terrible" refers to your own performance or ability, while "I had a terrible time" refers to your experience or enjoyment of an event. The first reflects on personal capability; the second, on an external situation.